Why greater reliance on coal may spur record solar power curtailments, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• India anticipates a hotter summer and plans to increase reliance on coal-based power to meet peak demand, despite gas supply constraints due to the West Asia conflict.
• The government has directed Tata Power to operate its 4 GW imported coal-based plant in Gujarat at full capacity starting April 1, after it remained idle for six months.
• The government is monitoring thermal and hydro projects slated for commissioning by June 2026, expecting to add about 10,000 MW of capacity from April to June 2026.
• Experts warn that increased coal reliance may lead to renewable energy curtailment, especially solar, due to the operational inflexibility of coal plants.

Detailed Insights:

• Gas-based power, though a small part of India's energy mix, is crucial during non-solar hours, with nearly 10 GW capacity used in high-demand summer months.
• The government aims to compensate for reduced gas-based generation using coal, renewables, and energy storage, but coal plants' inflexibility could hinder renewable energy integration.
• Coal-based power dominates India's electricity generation, contributing over 70%, while gas contributes only around 1-2%.
• Between May and November of last year, India's grid operator curtailed as much as 23 GW of renewable energy to maintain grid safety and stability.
• Minimum Technical Load (MTL) is the lowest stable generation level for thermal units; a lower MTL is essential to accommodate renewable energy.
• Renewable energy curtailment is driven by grid-security considerations, especially high frequency, state underdrawal, and transmission congestion, particularly in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Renewable Energy Curtailment: Reduction of renewable energy output due to grid constraints or oversupply.
• Minimum Technical Load (MTL): The lowest level at which a power plant can operate stably without shutting down.
• Grid Stability: Maintaining a consistent frequency and voltage on the electricity grid to prevent blackouts.